Sectional and portable miniature golf course or putting green

ABSTRACT

A golf hole for a miniature golf course is formed of a plurality of components, these components being divided into three distinct types: platform base panels, side rails, and riser feet. Each platform base panel is constructed or molded with attachments for side rails and riser feet. The riser feet are first attached to platform base panels. The platform base panels are laid out in any desired hole configuration within the parameters of the invention, one platform base panel containing the golf cup. Carpet or artificial turf, continuous or in sections, is then cut to fit and laid over platform base panels. The side rails and metal start rails are placed over the edge of the carpet along the perimeter of the hole and secured to the platform base panels. Obstacles may be bolted to the platform base panels at various points on the putting surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

[0003] Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] 1. Field of the Invention

[0005] This invention relates generally to the construction of miniaturegolf courses and putting greens, and, more specifically, to a new andimproved method of constructing a portable and reconfigurable miniaturegolf course or putting green based on prefabricated components.

[0006] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0007] Miniature golf courses and putting greens of various designs,materials and sizes, both for indoor and outdoor play, are well known inthe art. A miniature golf hole is generally understood to have some typeof base covered with carpet on which the golf ball rolls. It is alsounderstood that such a hole has some type of containment around theperimeter of the hole to prevent the golf ball from escaping the playingsurface, as well as a cup or receptacle into which to putt the ball.

[0008] Courses have typically been constructed as permanentinstallations, using concrete, wood, fiberglass or other material(s).Once a hole design was created, it could not be changed and could not bemoved. Hence, it would be advantageous to be able to construct an indooror outdoor miniature golf course that could not only be moved orrelocated to a new site, but also to construct a miniature golf coursethat could be reconfigured so that an entirely new set of hole designscould be created from the original set of components.

[0009] In order to be truly portable and to safely withstand continuousplay as well as weather extremes inherent in a semi-permanentinstallation, a portable miniature golf hole must have (1) a method ofkeeping water, heat, and UV rays from damaging the course, (2) aconstruction that prevents customers from damaging the hole or movingobstacles, side rails, carpet or other parts of the hole, (3) a methodof assembling and disassembling the hole repeatedly that does not damagethe hole and necessitate repairs.

[0010] The second issue is the ability to take a miniature golf holedesign which is made up of a set of components and be able to rearrangeor reconfigure those components into a totally new hole design. To bereconfigurable, for example, a simple straight hole design should beable to be either partially or totally disassembled and reassembled tocreate an L-Shaped hole design. Most importantly, a containment systemfor the golf ball must be integrated into the design of the components.

[0011] Many portable putting surfaces have been invented, as detailedbelow, but these are generally too flimsy in construction to withstandthe rigors of a commercial miniature golf business, or the design isunsuitable for a miniature golf course. U.S. Pat. No. 5,366,224describes a portable miniature golf course designed for commercial use.Each hole is comprised of several modules formed of a foam core with asprayed concrete coating. The modules are assembled on site, where “asealing material is spread over the joints between the modules”. Inaddition, bricks for a containment railing and carpet are affixed to themodules by means of adhesives.

[0012] However, in order for the course to be portable, the bricks wouldhave to be pried off of the modules, the carpet would have to be rippedup and replaced with new carpet, and the sealing material betweenmodules would have to be broken. Upon reassembly, all of these adhesivesand glued-on materials would have to be cleaned up and removed. It isunlikely that the removal of the bricks and carpet and adhesives wouldnot damage the cement coating in some manner, necessitating repair ofthe modules. Hence, it is not a truly portable design and moreimportantly, is not in any fashion reconfigurable.

[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 5,863,256 issued on Jan. 26, 1999 describes aportable putting surface formed of a plurality of separate panels withconnecting side rails. However, the panels and associated side rails canonly be arranged in one linear configuration.

[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 3,735,988 issued on May 29, 1973 also describes aportable putting surface formed of a plurality of separate uniformpanels. Although it claims that the individual sections may be puttogether in any given order, the side rails as depicted are limited tobeing attached only to the outer edges and outer corners of the baseportion, as making an inside corner would necessitate cutting the siderails to fit. Hence, only a linear putting configuration is possible. Inaddition, neither the base panels nor the side rails have any means ofpermanent attachment, making this design unsuitable for a commercialminiature golf course.

[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 1,761,039 issued on Jun. 3, 1930 describes aportable putting surface formed of a plurality of separate panels.However, neither the panels nor the side rails are of uniformdimensions, and hence can be configured in only one way.

[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 5,749,789 issued on May 12, 1998 describes aportable miniature golf game comprised of multiple, flexible retainingrails, obstacles, and a ball receptacle which are attached to multipleputting mats arranged in desired abutting relationships. Although themats can be arranged in various configurations, even as shown in thedrawings there are gaps between the side rails which would allow theball to escape from the area of play. There are no standard orconsistent dimensions given to either the base panels or the side rails,so it would be simply trial and error as to whether the side rails wouldfully enclose a specific hole configuration. Finally, the design istotally unsuitable to a commercial application, as the side rails andobstacles are only attached with velcro and could easily be removed bycustomers.

[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 3,897,067 issued on Jul. 29, 1975 describes both aportable and a reconfigurable miniature golf course. However, it iscompletely unsuitable for a commercial miniature golf course. The patentstates that “A retaining net may be placed at one end of an expandedgolf course in order to prevent golf balls from falling off the end.”First, a “retaining net” is not suitable for a commercial miniature golfcourse. Besides this, there are no provisions for any containmentrailing or netting along the remaining perimeter of the hole. Therefore,golf balls will simply roll off the hole or course if they don't reachthe end. The patent also states that “The . . . connections . . . makeit possible to vary the number and configurations of tees, greens,primary and secondary fairways.” It is not the connections that makethis so-called “reconfiguration” possible, though, but the avoidance ofdesigning a containment rail system for the golf ball. Any flat sectionsof wood or other material could be “reconfigured” in this manner if nocontainment was necessary.

[0018] Hence, none of the golf courses or putting greens disclosed inthese patents provide a method of constructing a miniature golf courseor putting green that is both portable and reconfigurable whileproviding for a containment system for the golf ball.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The present invention relates to the construction of a portableminiature golf course or putting green wherein a variety of golf holeconfigurations may be created through the use of multiple puttingplatforms of identical dimensions arranged in various abuttingrelationships. The resulting putting surface created from the adjoiningplatforms is then covered with one or more carpeting sections cut to thesame dimensions as the putting surface and a series of retaining railsare then placed on top of the carpet along the perimeter of the puttingsurface and bolted to the platforms. One or more ball receptacles andobstacles may be placed either within the putting platform(s) or in aseparate construction bolted or otherwise affixed to or above theputting platform(s).

[0020] Objects and Advantages:

[0021] (a) to provide a portable miniature golf course or putting greenwhich can be constructed and played indoors or outdoors;

[0022] (b) to provide a miniature golf course or putting green whichprovides for a maximal number of configurations using a minimal numberof unique pieces, by use of a two-to-one ratio in the length and widthof the platform sections.

[0023] (c) to provide a portable miniature golf course which can beassembled and disassembled by a single individual;

[0024] (d) to provide a portable miniature golf course or putting greenin which a variety of golf hole configurations can be created;

[0025] (e) to provide a portable miniature golf course in which golfholes may be reconfigured at any point in time to provide customers witha new playing experience.

[0026] (f) to provide a portable miniature golf course or putting greenwhich can be laid out within different space accommodations on a varietyof ground support surfaces, such as tile floors, wood floors, carpetfloors, cement, asphalt, and other suitable surfaces;

[0027] (g) to provide a portable miniature golf course or putting greenwhich can be disassembled and stored in a compact space when not in use.

[0028] (h) to provide a portable miniature golf course or putting greenwherein a player may slightly alter a previously created miniature golfhole configuration by moving one or more sections of the golf hole, oralternatively disassemble the entire golf hole to create and assemble anew unique miniature golf hole configuration.

[0029] Further objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from a consideration of the following description anddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0030]FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating one of the many possibleembodiments of a miniature golf hole according to the present invention.

[0031]FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the ability to abutplatform base panels at 90 degree angles to each other. FIG. 2 alsoillustrates the ability to abut platforms at the halfway point on ashort side, or to abut a long side and a short side at the midpoint ofboth platforms.

[0032]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a molded platform baseillustrating the interior attachments, recesses, and holes necessary forthe attachment of riser feet, side rails, and obstacles.

[0033]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a constructed platform baseillustrating the interior attachments, recesses, and holes necessary forthe attachment of riser feet, side rails, and obstacles.

[0034]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a riser foot created from a moldusing a material such as concrete or plastic.

[0035]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a riser foot constructed from amaterial such as wood.

[0036]FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the attachment of riserfeet to a platform base panel.

[0037]FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the attachment of carpetto a platform base panel.

[0038]FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the attachment of siderails to a platform base panel.

[0039]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a partial golf hole illustratingthe use of two different sizes of riser feet to create a putting surfacewith multiple levels.

[0040]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of two abutting platform base panelsillustrating the interconnection of two platform base panels by aspecial riser foot.

[0041]FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a golf cup formed intoor cut out of two abutting platform base panels.

[0042]FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a golf cup formed intoa ramp construction which rests on top of the platform surface.

[0043]FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating the vertical andhorizontal bolt holes in a straight side rail.

[0044]FIG. 15 is a side profile view illustrating the vertical andhorizontal bolt holes in a straight side rail.

[0045]FIG. 16 is a perspective view illustrating a miniature golf holebefore being reconfigured.

[0046]FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustrating a miniature golf holeusing the same components after being reconfigured.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0047] Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated one of the manypossible embodiments of a miniature golf hole 60. The hole is comprisedof thirteen identical rectangular platform base panels 21 (each platformbase panel being comprised of a platform base 20 and attached riser feet22 (see FIG. 5)), overlain with carpeting to provide the puttingsurface. Attached to the platform base panels are one or more side rails23-34 which contain the ball on the putting surface. These twelve typesof side rails provide the ability to enclose virtually any combinationof abutting platform base panels to create a miniature golf hole withcontinuous side railing. Skirt sections 52 and 53 provide a startingpoint and putting platform for the miniature golf hole, while golf cup54 provides the intended destination for the golf ball.

[0048]FIG. 2 illustrates platform base panels 21 in various abuttingorientations without carpeting or side rails. In the present invention,each platform base panel is 18 inches wide by 36 inches long, in atwo-to-one ratio of length to width. This two-to-one ratio allows theplatform base panels to be abutted at ninety-degree angles 63, allowingfor a greater variety of golf hole lengths and widths without creatingdifferent-sized platform base panels or changing the number of differentside rails needed to handle these variations. FIG. 2 illustrates thattwo platform base panels may even abut at a distance of half the smallerside 61 or abut the smaller side of one platform base panel to themiddle long side 62 of another platform base panel, allowing additionalconfigurations to be made. Any two-to-one ratio of platform length towidth will achieve the desired benefit of increasing possible holeconfigurations without increasing the number of platform base panels orside rails needed for construction.

[0049]FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show an internal view of two embodiments of aplatform base. In the present invention, platform bases may be createdby two processes. FIG. 3 illustrates a platform base 20 created from amold. These platform bases may be formed of concrete, either hand-mixedor in pre-mixed bags, and can be poured into a pre-designed mold tocreate a rectangular platform base of dimensions 18 inches wide by 36inches long by 1.5 inches in thickness. Any material capable of beingformed into a mold and meeting the requirements for strength anddurability, such as plastics, carbon composites, ceramics, fiberglass,and other materials can also be used. The thickness of the mold woulddepend on the material being utilized, the length and width dimensionsremaining constant (either the specified dimensions of 18 inches by 36inches or dimensions in another 2 to 1 ratio).

[0050] Still referring to FIG. 3, each platform base 20 is provided witha means for bolting riser feet, side rails, and obstacles to saidplatform base. Five recessed holes 45 are created in the mold for theinsertion of bolts to attach the riser feet. Each side rail (with theexception of side rails 32, 33 and 34 (see FIG. 1), which have a singlevertical attachment) is connected to the platform base utilizing twovertical bolt attachments 66 and 67 and one horizontal bolt attachment68. Each vertical bolt attachment is molded into the platform base andis composed of a one-fourth inch vertical hole 46, extending through theentire thickness of the platform base, and an embedded galvanized hexnut 37 in a vertical orientation. Horizontal bolt attachment 68 ismolded into the outer edge of the platform base and is composed of aone-fourth inch horizontal hole 47, extending approximately one andone-half inches into the platform base, and an embedded galvanized hexnut 38 in a horizontal orientation.

[0051] One or more groupings of two vertical bolt attachments and onehorizontal bolt attachment can be placed around the perimeter of theplatform base, depending on the number of side rails intended to beattached to the platform base panel. Some platform base panels do notrequire any bolt attachments due to the fact that no side rails will beconnected. Two vertical bolt attachments 69 and 70 (FIG. 3) are alsolocated in the center area of the platform base for connectingobstacles.

[0052]FIG. 4 illustrates a constructed platform base 19 created bycutting a material to size, drilling the appropriate holes, andinserting hardware for the connection of riser feet, side rails, andobstacles. A material such as three-fourth inch plywood is cut to theappropriate size in a two-to-one ratio. Five recessed holes 77 arecreated by drilling holes of two different sizes, one hole drilledcompletely through the platform base and large enough for the shaft ofthe bolt which is used to attach the riser feet, and another larger holefor the head of the bolt to rest below the top surface of the platformbase. Side rails are connected by means of vertical bolt attachments 74and 75 which are created by drilling a vertical starter hole through thetop side of the material and screwing in a bolt insert 55. Horizontalbolt attachment 76 is created by drilling a horizontal starter holealong the outside edge of the material and screwing in bolt insert 56.Two vertical bolt attachments 78 and 79 are also located in the centerarea of the platform base for connecting obstacles.

[0053]FIG. 5 illustrates a molded riser foot 22, formed with a materialsuch as concrete. Riser foot bolt attachment 51 consists of a moldedbolt hole 71 and embedded galvanized nut 39. FIG. 6 illustrates a riserfoot 81 constructed from a material such as wood. Riser foot boltattachment 80 is created by drilling a starter hole and screwing in boltinsert 73. The same types of materials appropriate for forming theplatform bases may be used for the riser feet.

[0054]FIG. 7 illustrates the attachment of riser feet to the platformbase, creating a platform base panel. A riser foot 22 is attached to thebottom of platform base 20 by means of a hex bolt 43 with washer 36passing through the top of the platform base and securing into boltattachment 51. Five riser feet are attached to the platform base in thismanner. The riser feet allow the platform base panels to be moreaccurately leveled; provide clearance on the underside for electricalwires or conduit, water pipes, and mechanical linkages and devices; andallow the platform base panels to be raised to different elevations bychanging the height of the riser feet. FIG. 10 illustrates a section ofa miniature golf hole with multiple levels of play created by usingdifferent-sized riser feet 22 and 65. Once riser feet have been attachedto the platform base as illustrated in FIG. 7, the platform base panels21 can be laid out in the desired configuration for the miniature golfhole, as shown on Hole 60 of FIG. 1. Carpeting is cut to size in onecontinuous piece or in multiple pieces and laid onto the platform basepanels. Carpet holes are cut to accommodate the vertical side railbolts. FIG. 8 illustrates a portion of carpet 40 being positioned on topof platform base panel 21 with carpet holes 41 and 41 a lining up withthe vertical bolt attachments 66 and 67.

[0055] After the carpet has been laid, the side rails are attached tothe platform base panels, said side rails being either molded ofconcrete, plastic, or other material or manufactured from wood. FIG. 1illustrates the twelve unique side rails 23-34 which are used to enclosethe perimeter of the miniature golf hole 60, and illustrate the use ofthese side rails 23-34 in forming straight borders, inside corners, andoutside corners.

[0056]FIGS. 14 and 15 show straight side rail 29. Two vertical holes 48and 48 a are molded or drilled through the side rail and are inalignment with the vertical attachment holes of either platform base 19of FIG. 4 or platform base 20 of FIG. 3. Horizontal hole 49 is alsomolded or drilled and is elongated in the vertical dimension forming anoval shape, thus allowing the side rail to be adjusted for varyingcarpet thicknesses.

[0057]FIG. 9 shows straight side rails placed onto the edge of thecarpet and platform base panel. A side rail 29 is secured to platformbase panel 21 using both vertically-oriented hex bolts 42 and 42 a andhorizontally-oriented hex bolt 44, thus strengthening the connection ofside rail 29 to platform base panel 21. Vertical hex bolts 42 and 42 awith washers 35 pass through side rail holes 48 and 48 a, through carpetholes 41 and 41 a and thread into the vertical bolt attachments ofplatform base panel 21. The horizontally-oriented hex bolt 44 passesthrough side rail hole 49, which is elongated in the vertical directionto allow for variances in the thickness of different carpets, and theninto the horizontal bolt attachment 68.

[0058] As is illustrated in FIG. 9, the carpet 40 becomes securelywedged between the bolted side rail 29 and the platform base panel 21,thus preventing movement of the carpet without the need for any carpetadhesive. In addition, by securing the carpet under the side rails, thecarpet acts to prevent the platform base panels from moving out of theiroriginal positions. Although the platform base panels are very stabledue to the joining of sections by the carpeting, a non-skid coating canbe applied to or a non-skid material attached to the bottom of the riserfeet to provide additional stability. As is described above, no specialconnectors are required to join platform base panels together. As shownin FIG. 11, if additional support is desired, a special riser foot 64with bolt attachments 51 can be used to secure the platform base panels21 together, but this is generally not necessary due to theinterconnection of platforms, carpet and side rails.

[0059] As illustrated in FIG. 12, a regulation-sized golf cup 54 can beplaced into a properly-sized hole in one or more of the platform basepanels 21 and placed at any desired location on the miniature golf hole,or a raised golf cup 54 as in FIG. 13 can be constructed and secured tothe obstacle bolt attachments in the platform base.

[0060] Referring back to FIG. 3 or 4, once the miniature golf hole hasbeen assembled, obstacles may be attached to the playing surface byutilizing the vertical bolt attachments 69 and 70 or 78 and 79 in thecenter area of the platform base.

[0061] The final step in construction of the miniature golf hole is toplace the skirt pieces 52 and 53 around the start of the hole, as shownin FIG. 1, which provide a starting point and putting platform for theminiature golf hole.

[0062] Once the miniature golf hole or course has been assembled,disassembly may be achieved by removing the skirt pieces, unfasteningall obstacles and side rail bolts, removing the side rails, and rollingup the carpet. To reconfigure a miniature golf hole, the hole is eithertotally or partially disassembled, and the platform base panels aremoved into a new configuration. The carpet is then either re-cut or anew piece cut to size, followed by the attachment of the side rails.FIG. 16 shows a hole in one configuration. By using the exact samecomponents, this hole can be reconfigured to create the hole in FIG. 17.By leaving out some of the components of the hole or adding additionalcomponents, many other configurations can be achieved.

[0063] The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the abovedescription, and should not be construed as limiting the scope of theinvention. The description merely provides illustrations of some of thepresently preferred embodiments of this invention. Therefore, the scopeof the invention should be based on the appended claims and their legalequivalents, rather than by the specified examples herein.

What I claim as my invention is:
 1. A hole for a miniature golf coursecomprising: a plurality of rectangular platform base panels of equaldimension with means for the attachment of riser feet, side rails, andobstacles; a plurality of riser feet, with means for attachment toplatform base panels; a set of side rails manufactured with one or bothends angled at 45 degrees, 90 degrees, or 135 degrees, said side railswith means for attachment to the platform base panels to producestraight rails, inside corner rails and outside corner rails; a set ofone or more sections of carpet or artificial turf for placement over allof said platform base panels, said carpet or artificial turf havingdimensions equivalent to the layout of the platform base panels, with ahole to accept a golf cup; a golf cup contained in a hole in a platformbase panel or a golf cup contained in a raised structure being attachedto a platform base panel.
 2. A hole for a miniature golf course as setforth in claim 1 wherein said platform base panels, side rails, riserfeet, and obstacles can be interchanged with similar components of otherminiature golf holes and reassembled to produce different miniature golfhole configurations.
 3. A hole for a miniature golf course as set forthin claim 1 wherein said rectangular platform base panels are formed orconstructed in a 2-to-1 ratio of length to width.
 4. A hole for aminiature golf course as set forth in claim 1 wherein said rectangularplatform base panels contain embedded bolt inserts or hex nuts for thebolted attachment of side rails and obstacles.
 5. A hole for a miniaturegolf course as set forth in claim 1 wherein recessed holes are drilledor molded into said rectangular platform base panels for the attachmentof riser feet.
 6. A hole for a miniature golf course as set forth inclaim 1 wherein said riser feet vary in height and angle to allowmulti-level and raised putting surfaces.
 7. A hole for a miniature golfcourse as set forth in claim 1 wherein said riser feet vary in length,width, and number of bolt inserts to allow the interconnection of two ormore platform base panels.
 8. A hole for a miniature golf course setforth in claim 1 wherein said platform base panels, side rails, riserfeet and obstacles are manufactured out of wood.
 9. A hole for aminiature golf course set forth in claim 1 wherein said platform basepanels, side rails, riser feet and obstacles are produced of a plasticmaterial.
 10. A hole for a miniature golf course set forth in claim 1wherein said platform base panels abut edge-to-edge, edge-to-midpoint ofshorter side, edge-to-midpoint of longer side, or midpoint of shorterside to midpoint of longer side.
 11. A hole for a miniature golf courseas in claim 1 wherein said side rails contain holes for the passage ofbolts through the side rail for attachment to the edge or top of aplatform base panel.
 12. A hole for a miniature golf course as in claim1 wherein said side rails are formed to a length equal to or one-halfthe length of the shortest side of the platform base panels.
 13. A holefor a miniature golf course comprising: a plurality of rectangularplatform base panels of equal dimension, said platform base panels withmeans for removable bolted attachment of side rails, riser feet andobstacles; a corresponding plurality of riser feet, with means forremovable bolted attachment to platform base panels; a set of side railsmanufactured with one or both ends angled at 45 degrees, 90 degrees, or135 degrees, said side rails with means for removable bolted attachmentto the platform base panels to produce straight rails, inside cornerrails and outside corner rails; a set of one or more sections of carpetor artificial turf for placement over all of said platform base panels,said carpet or artificial turf having dimensions equivalent to thelayout of the platform base panels, with a hole to accept a golf cup; agolf cup contained in a hole in a platform base panel or a golf cupcontained in a raised structure being attached to a platform base panel.a means of securing against movement said carpet or artificial turfwithout adhesives, said carpet or artificial turf being secured in placeby compression between the platform base panels and the side rails. 14.A hole for a miniature golf course as set forth in claim 13 wherein saidplatform base panels, side rails, riser feet, and obstacles can beinterchanged with similar components of other miniature golf holes andreassembled to produce different miniature golf hole configurations. 15.A hole for a miniature golf course as set forth in claim 13 wherein saidrectangular platform base panels are formed or constructed in a 2-to-1ratio of length to width.
 16. A hole for a miniature golf course as setforth in claim 13 wherein said rectangular platform base panels containembedded bolt inserts or hex nuts for the bolted attachment of siderails and obstacles.
 17. A hole for a miniature golf course as set forthin claim 13 wherein recessed holes are drilled or molded into saidrectangular platform base panels for the attachment of riser feet.
 18. Ahole for a miniature golf course as set forth in claim 13 wherein saidriser feet vary in height and angle to allow multi-level and raisedputting surfaces.
 19. A hole for a miniature golf course as set forth inclaim 13 wherein said riser feet vary in length, width, and number ofbolt inserts to allow the interconnection of two or more platform basepanels.
 20. A hole for a miniature golf course set forth in claim 13wherein said platform base panels, side rails, riser feet and obstaclesare manufactured out of wood.
 21. A hole for a miniature golf course setforth in claim 13 wherein said platform base panels, side rails, riserfeet and obstacles are produced of a plastic material.
 22. A hole for aminiature golf course set forth in claim 13 wherein said platform basepanels abut edge-to-edge, edge-to-midpoint of shorter side,edge-to-midpoint of longer side, or midpoint of shorter side to midpointof longer side.
 23. A hole for a miniature golf course as in claim 13wherein said side rails contain holes for the passage of bolts throughthe side rail for attachment to the edge or top of a platform basepanel.
 24. A hole for a miniature golf course as in claim 13 whereinsaid side rails are formed to a length equal to or one-half the lengthof the shortest side of the platform base panels.
 25. A hole for aminiature golf course comprising: a plurality of rectangular platformbase panels of equal dimension, said platform base panels with means forremovable bolted attachment of side rails, riser feet and obstacles; acorresponding plurality of riser feet, with means for removable boltedattachment to platform base panels; a set of side rails manufacturedwith one or both ends angled at 45 degrees, 90 degrees, or 135 degrees,said side rails with means for removable bolted attachment to theplatform base panels to produce straight rails, inside corner rails andoutside corner rails; a set of one or more sections of carpet orartificial turf for placement over all of said platform base panels,said carpet or artificial turf having dimensions equivalent to thelayout of the platform base panels, with a hole to accept a golf cup; agolf cup contained in a hole in a platform base panel or a golf cupcontained in a raised structure being attached to a platform base panel;an integrated system of platform base panels, riser feet, and side railswhich allows for the reconfiguration of one miniature golf hole layoutinto one or more different miniature golf hole layouts utilizingidentical components; a means of securing against movement said carpetor artificial turf without adhesives, said carpet or artificial turfbeing secured in place by compression between the platform base panelsand the side rails.
 26. A hole for a miniature golf course as set forthin claim 25 wherein said platform base panels, side rails, riser feet,and obstacles can be interchanged with similar components of otherminiature golf holes and reassembled to produce different miniature golfhole configurations.
 27. A hole for a miniature golf course as set forthin claim 25 wherein said rectangular platform base panels are formed orconstructed in a 2-to-1 ratio of length to width.
 28. A hole for aminiature golf course as set forth in claim 25 wherein said rectangularplatform base panels contain embedded bolt inserts or hex nuts for thebolted attachment of side rails and obstacles.
 29. A hole for aminiature golf course as set forth in claim 25 wherein recessed holesare drilled or molded into said rectangular platform base panels for theattachment of riser feet.
 30. A hole for a miniature golf course as setforth in claim 25 wherein said riser feet vary in height and angle toallow multi-level and raised putting surfaces.
 31. A hole for aminiature golf course as set forth in claim 25 wherein said riser feetvary in length, width, and number of bolt inserts to allow theinterconnection of two or more platform base panels.
 32. A hole for aminiature golf course set forth in claim 25 wherein said platform basepanels, side rails, riser feet and obstacles are manufactured out ofwood.
 33. A hole for a miniature golf course set forth in claim 25wherein said platform base panels, side rails, riser feet and obstaclesare produced of a plastic material.
 34. A hole for a miniature golfcourse set forth in claim 25 wherein said platform base panels abutedge-to-edge, edge-to-midpoint of shorter side, edge-to-midpoint oflonger side, or midpoint of shorter side to midpoint of longer side. 35.A hole for a miniature golf course as in claim 25 wherein said siderails contain holes for the passage of bolts through the side rail forattachment to the edge or top of a platform base panel.
 36. A hole for aminiature golf course as in claim 25 wherein said side rails are formedto a length equal to or one-half the length of the shortest side of theplatform base panels.